SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BUILDING, CUSTOMIZING, MANAGING, AND PARTICIPATING IN AN ONLINE VIRTUAL WORLD OF BARS AND CLUBS CONNECTED TO SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

Abstract

A social networking game is themed around the customization of a virtual world of bars and clubs that allows players to interact with each other.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/366,935 filed Jul. 23, 2010, which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to multiuser online computer games in general, and more particularly to social networking games for a computer or mobile device.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is in the technical field of social networking computer games. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of online role playing games that let you build virtual worlds and communities.

Current social networking computer games, such as virtual world or social simulation games typically allow players to create a persona or create an occupation in a game and have that player give status updates through social networking sites. These games are typically limited in the participation of the player in a specific isolated role, such as a farmer, mobster, or in other similar single player focused occupation. In common form, these games allow scoring based on achievements that the single player makes to accomplish individually focused missions or tasks. There is no scoring based on how the player interacts with the other players of the game or allowance in the social interaction with other players in the game such as via chatting, messaging, gesturing, or other forms of simulated communication. Further, there is no credit gained or score achieved when multiple players interact with each other in games of chance and other activities such as darts, pool, cards, fighting, dancing, or similar types of multiplayer interaction.

SUMMARY

The present invention is system and method for a social networking game that allows building, customizing, managing, and participating in an online virtual world of bars and clubs connected to social networking sites.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of different customized styles of a bar or club in the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of different types of personalized wall decorations of a bar or club of the present invention

FIG. 3 is a top view of a virtual multiplayer game of pool in the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a front view of a virtual multiplayer game of darts in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a Web page for selecting a bar type for the player.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart illustrating an example method for selecting, working, owning, decorating, and visiting virtual bars in an online community.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is a system and method for a social networking game with the general goal being the accumulation of virtual credits or money allowing for the purchase of virtual material, goods and services using the accumulated virtual credits or money. The specific objective of the game is for each player to build and customized a virtual bar or club in a virtual community of multiple bars and clubs owned by multiple players. The rules of the game include creating an online persona, building a bar or club with accumulated credits or material, customizing that bar or club, then participating with other players to frequent any of the bars or clubs of the virtual community. Each player may participate in games and socialize in each of the bars or clubs, accumulating credits for actions and accomplishments in games of chance or skill, selling food, drinks and refreshments, reaching certain goals in activities such as chatting, flirting, dancing, drinking, fighting, or other similar barroom forms of entertainment. In addition, each player may purchase drinks or gifts for themselves or to give to other players. When any activity happens in the virtual world, it may be shared as status updates on social networking sites.

Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 1 there is shown a top view of a square shaped bar 16 where a plurality of players 10 are seated and a bar rack 18 is situated in the center where bottles of liquor and refreshments are stored and are served by the virtual bartender.

In more detail, still referring to the invention of FIG. 1, a player 10 may interact with another player 10 by chatting, talking, flirting, and asking each other to dance, fight or share a drink.

Referring now to the invention shown in FIG. 2, there is shown a virtual wall 50 from a player's bar that is decorated with items 60, 62, 64, and 66. These items can be customized by the player following the theme of the bar, such as sports memorabilia for a sports bar wall, or western items for a cowboy bar, or items from the 1970s such as tie-dye shirts, peace signs, forty-five records, and bandanas for a retro themed bar.

Referring now to the invention shown in FIG. 3, there is shown a virtual pool table 70 from a player's bar that has a pool table rack 80 pool balls 82 and a cue ball 86. There is a pool cue 90 that the player can control virtually in the game to shoot the cue ball 86 into the pool balls 82 to sink them into the pockets 84. Players may challenge each other to a game where score is kept and credits given to players who win.

Referring now to the invention shown in FIG. 4, there is shown a virtual darts game with a dartboard 100 and darts 102. The player in the bar may challenge other players to a game of darts trying to throw the virtual darts 102 at the bulls-eye 104 to score more points than the other player.

Referring now to the invention shown in FIG. 5, there is a Web page for inputting a player's selection for a bar type. This page can include fields for showing a player's name and social networking information such as a friends list and which friends are currently on the chat line. The player then selects a bar type which is processed and recorded in order for the player to start to work in that bar to begin the process of eventually owning that bar after working enough days in it.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart illustrating an example for playing the game whereby the player first selects a bar type, starts to work in that bar that was selected and keeps working in that bar until the player owns it. Once the bar is owned, the player is able to decorate that bar and to also visit other players' bars.

The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, a socially interactive game in a virtual world that is played online through social networking sites allowing for credits to be earned by different games of skill and chance against other players, socializing and interacting with other players in the bar, building and customizing player's own bars and clubs, and buying and giving bar-themed virtual merchandise to other players.

Systems and Methods:

In broad embodiment, the present invention is a social networking game themed around the customization of a virtual world of bars and clubs.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

processing, in a social networking game, the selection of a bar type from a player, wherein the bar type will be the style of bar or club that the player will work in the game;

recording, how many days the player has worked in that bar to determine when the player owns the bar;

processing, the selection of decoration by the player to place in his or her bar;

processing, the player visiting other players' bars in the game.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the player also may play interactive virtual games with other players in the game.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the player may earn credits or points for winning games of claim 2.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the player may interact with other players in a social way, such as chatting, flirting, dancing, fighting, and other similar activities.

5. An apparatus comprising:

one or more processors; and a memory coupled to the processors comprising instructions executable by the processors, the processors operable when executing the instructions to:

process in a social networking game, the selection of a bar type from a player, wherein the bar type will be the style of bar or club that the player will work in the game;

record how many days the player has worked in that bar to determine when the player owns the bar;

process the selection of decoration by the player to place in his or her bar;

process the player visiting other players' bars in the game.

6. An apparatus of claim 5, wherein the processors are further operable when executing the instructions to:

process a player playing an interactive virtual game with another player inside his or her bar.

7. An apparatus of claim 5, wherein the processors are further operable when executing the instructions to:

process a player interacting with other players in the game by chatting, flirting, dancing, fighting, and other similar activities in the game.